Tex-Mex Flavor Bowl (Printable Version)
A filling pasta mix tossed with ground beef, crunchy bacon, sweet corn, beans, and melty cheese - all wrapped in a zesty BBQ-ranch blend. Perfect for sharing!
# Ingredients:
→ Primary Ingredients
01 -
3/4 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
02 -
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed well
03 -
4 strips of cooked bacon, crumbled
04 -
8 ounces of elbow macaroni or rotini pasta
05 -
1/2 cup diced red onion
06 -
A pinch of salt and pepper, to your liking
07 -
1 teaspoon chili powder
08 -
1/2 pound of ground beef
09 -
1 cup of canned corn, liquid removed
10 -
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
11 -
1/2 cup green onion, thinly sliced
→ Dressing Ingredients
12 -
1/4 cup barbecue sauce
13 -
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
14 -
1/2 cup ranch dressing
15 -
A dash of salt and a bit of pepper
# Steps:
01 -
Follow the instructions on the pasta box to cook it. Once done, drain it, rinse with cold water, and let it cool.
02 -
In a pan on medium heat, cook the beef with some salt, pepper, and chili powder until it's browned. Drain the grease and set it aside to cool down.
03 -
In a big bowl, toss together the pasta, ground beef, bacon, corn, black beans, tomatoes, red onion, cheese, and green onion.
04 -
Stir ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, lime juice, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl until smooth.
05 -
Drizzle the dressing over the mixed salad and stir until everything is nicely coated.
06 -
Pop the salad into the fridge for a minimum of 30 minutes so the flavors come together.
# Notes:
01 -
To switch things up, use ground turkey or plant-based ground meat.
02 -
Toss in diced avocado or jalapeños if you want a kick of heat or creaminess.
03 -
You can make this the day before and leave it in the fridge until serving.
04 -
It’s great for gatherings, summer parties, or even as a meal by itself.